Light and Air Changed The Game

Hi Everyone!

So its been a little while since our bathroom renovation with the One Room Challenge and I thought it would be a great time for a bit of an update about my favorite detail in the room…the skylight.  

Although its only been 3 months its given us time to experience it during cloudy days, rainy days, at night, during a season change, etc. And in doing so I’ve come to realize that my initial desire just to bring in a bit of natural light into a once dark and muggy space has resulted in  so much more than that.  Let’s have a look at what the bathroom looked like before we started on its transformation:

It wasn’t terrible, but the space felt claustrophobic. Interior bathrooms are the absolute worst because there’s really just no way to install a window.  Living in an old house with one bathroom has given me such an appreciation for light and air.  You have no idea how much you need it until you don’t have it, and almost immediately after moving in to our little bungalow 4 years ago I’ve been dreaming of putting in a skylight.

As part of our One Room Challenge makeover I partnered with Velux to bring my dream to life.  It was priority number one, and even if NOTHING else in the space changed this was the single most important and impactful thing we could’ve ever done.

When searching for the right product we considered a few different options for the space, including sun tunnels and stationary skylights, but in the end decided on their Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight because in addition to light it also gave us the option for fresh air. In hindsight that was really the biggest advantage of all given it was installed in a bathroom.

Now listen, I have been known to be a tad dramatic when it comes to design…..I mean it is my passion after all, BUT I’m not exaggerating when I say this skylight CHANGED. THE. GAME.  At first we were just awestruck at how much both structural and literal beauty it brought into the space. But after living with it for a few months we now know its true impact.

I mean….hello light!  The difference is astounding, really.  Even first thing in the morning when the sun is barely in the sky and with the shade drawn closed there’s still really soft filtered light that makes it into the space:

(morning light, blinds closed and skylight closed)

And the here’s the same view once the blind has been opened and the the skylight is raised.  No other edits have been made in the image:

The skylight itself comes with features that have been AMAZING.  Once we got it installed I was able to choose a blind for it.  There’s a large selection of colors and patterns…some standard and some custom.  I went with a classic cream to go with the ceiling color and wallpaper.

One of the features I love is that we can set it to open and close at certain times.  So we have it set for the blind to automatically open in the morning around 7:00 and to close in the evenings once it gets dark.

I do understand that not everyone shares my sentiment since one major detail about skylights that causes a lot of concern is water intrusion, and with good cause.  I’d say this is likely the biggest reason people deter from making the investment to have one installed. Velux is known for their no leak system and stand behind their product with a 10-year no leak warranty on the product and the installation as long as it’s been properly installed.

There are really just so many things I love about it, but perhaps what I love most about our model is that its solar powered.  Being more eco conscious is a major home goal for us and this certainly adds to that goal.  And along with it being solar powered another of my favorite features is the integrated rain sensor.  If the skylight is raised it automatically closes at the first indication of wet weather. We can even control it via our cell phones!

There’s one other wellness feature I’ve found to be a major bonus and that’s the Velux Active systems ability to detect elevated moisture and carbon dioxide levels inside the space and to automatically correct them by letting in fresh air. Super steamy showers will trigger it to raise and let out the moisture and then close once its been alleviated. This feature is HUGE especially if you are thinking of installing one in a kitchen where burnt foods can disrupt air quality in a matter of seconds.

Perhaps the most indulgent bonus of all is how the skylight allowed for me to push the envelope when designing the room.  Ya’ll know I love a moody space and I really wanted to go all in with this challenge.  Rich black tiles, brass accents, deeply colored patterned wallpaper, and black shiplap are all details that are enhanced by the addition of the natural light the skylight provides.  So much depth would’ve been lost had I only been able to rely on overhead lighting.

We still have just a little bit more to go until we can call this room completely done, but already a space that was once a cause for anxiety in our home is so much more functional and healthy.  We honestly love it so much. If you have been considering a skylight in your space I would highly recommend you look into a Velux installer near you and explore some options.  Until next time friends.

Posted By: Shavonda Gardner · In: interiors, small space living, thecottagebungalow